Saying "no" to sex doesn’t mean never. It might mean, “not right now”, “I’m not there yet”, “I’m tired”, “I don’t think I trust you yet”, and so on. Saying "no" can come with a wave of emotions and unpleasant responses, but there is no reason to keep having unwanted...
Heather Mazzei, ASW
Gaslighting Phrases + Tactics Everyone Needs to Know
Ever felt like your reality was being questioned and over time you started to feel, well, crazy? You may have been a victim of gaslighting or recognized one of many gaslighting phrases. The term gaslighting, coined by a 1938 movie, is defined as form of emotional...
What is Polyvagal Theory + How it Helps Your Relationship
The term Polyvagal Theory may sound intimidating, but the concept is actually simple to explain. Understanding polyvagal theory can start by taking a look at the two parts of the nervous system. The two parts of the nervous system...
Not the Threesome You Wanted: Managing Thirds
Being in a committed relationship is just that, a commitment, and how you rise or fall to your partner's expectations is an endless journey. So, how are you managing thirds in your relationship? Coined by Stan Tatkin, the term thirds stand for anything that may...
How Can Polyvagal Theory Help Co-Regulation in Relationships?
Understanding Polyvagal Theory is easier than it sounds. The nervous system is your friend, especially if you can learn to understand and modify its course. There are two parts, the central nervous (brain and spinal cord), and peripheral nervous (everything else)...
Should I Stay or Should I go? 9 Ways to Know
“Darlin you got to let me know……. should I stay or should I go?” ~ The Clash, 1981 Although your life might not be as dramatic as The Clash’s love song, the decision about continuing or discontinuing a dating relationship can be a doozy. Current literature...
ASMR – The New Way to Relax
What is ASMR? 1 sheep, 2 sheep, 3 sheep………..475 sheep. Counting sheep not cutting it for you? How about a video of someone tapping a plate. Curious? Read on. A phenomenon growing in popularity over the last ten years might be just the thing to try. ...
Living Apart Together, You and Me?
Some couples who are living apart, together have bucked the trend of of living under one roof and share a bed. Why? Well, history lent itself to cohabitation due to societal norms of marriage and gendered roles. Today, a growing population of individuals are choosing...
Why Do People Ghost, Anyway?
Many people wonder, why do people ghost in today's dating world? Communication has always been tricky to navigate in the dating world. How long to wait until I call? Should I call or should I text? What does it mean if he texts me but won’t answer my calls? Why is she...